What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Tattoo Removal – Glamour
Are you the not-so-proud owner of some regrettable ink? Well, welcome to the club. I have four (five, if you count the one on my back as two) tattoos from my late teens and early twenties that I could probably definitely do without. So, this year I set out to do just that: get them removed.
If you’ve heard anything about laser removal, it’s probably that it’s insanely painful. I mean, if I had a nickel for every time I’ve heard, “Doesn’t that hurt even more than actually getting the tattoos?” I’d be rich. (OK, I would have enough money to buy a medium iced coffee at Pret.) But while there’s plenty of info on what to consider before getting a tattoo (and pages on pages of enticing inspo), there still isn’t a whole lot of discussion surrounding the dark side of ink jobs: What happens if you grow to no longer love that little shooting star or random Latin phrase (ahem, see below)? I’m only about halfway through the process, but I’ve picked up plenty of tips along the way. So to do you all a solid, I put together a list of everything I’ve learned.
Here’s what you need to know about tattoo removal.
Hi, that’s me. Just getting my tatts lasered off.
1. Consider a doctor. I’d previously had one tattoo zapped at a spa (I was living in small-town Canada where there weren’t plastic surgery offices or dermatologists), where an aesthetician used an outdated heat laser that ended up burning and scarring my skin. This time around, I’m having treatments done by Dr. John F. Adams at the New York Dermatology Group, where everything is done under medical supervision. I suggest you find your own doctor by asking friends, editors (shameless plug), and even by stopping people that you see with removal in processwhich, yes, I have done.
2. It will take monthsif not a year or more. Tattoos don’t just disappear after a once-over with the laser. (I wish!) I’ve had six sessions, and I’d wager that I need about five more, despite the fact that my initial estimate was six to eight sessions. It takes a long time to complete because each time the tattoo is lasered, particles are broken down and digested by the body’s immune system. The regeneration period is up to eight weeks, and the next time you go, the laser breaks down new particles of pigment. And so on and so forth.
3. It’s expensive. If you have your procedures done by a doctor, the bill for each visit can run you hundreds of dollars. Brace yourself: The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) estimates the average cost per session at $463. But see point number one for why it’s worth it.
4. All ink can be taken out. Contrary to the old belief that light, colored ink was hard to remove, Dr. Adams assured me that all hues will now disappear. (FYI: The previous explanation was that, similar to laser hair removal, the laser would solely be attracted toward dark colors, like black.) With PicoSure technology, he says you can even get out yellows and greens, which were previously the most stubborn.
5. Get ready for needles. Mentally prepare for visits to consist of more than just a quick and easy laser moment. Mine have been taking about 45 minutes because we take before photos, clean the areas, inject them with lidocaine for freezing, laser them, ice them, and then bandage them. Oh, and sometimes a weird thing happens where I taste metal when the laser hits my skin. Dr. Adams says it’s a sensation that some people experience when the lidocaine is hit by the laser and [that it] is totally normalbut also, I might be superhuman.
6. There’s pain afterward. And it doesn’t stop when you leave the office. I would advise that you budget for discomfort for about a week. For me, the sites blister and need to be covered in a salve and bandaged for a few days; then, they start to de-puff, scab, peel, and regenerate. There is good news though: The more treatments you have, the less aftercare there is. (Since there’s less ink reacting to the laser.)
7. You’ll need things like Aquaphor, bandages, and even clothes that don’t rest on the tattoo. Yes, I actually bought shirts that didn’t have material where my neck/back tattoo is. At first, I was cutting tags out, but when tagless cotton tees still made the spot hurt and itch, I figured keyhole backs were a good investment. If you have tattoos on your ribs or feet (and like to wear bras and shoes) it might be best to plan your sessions accordingly.
8. You could just lighten ink enough to go over it. If you don’t want to take your tattoos all the way off, you can simply lighten them enough to get some good cover-ups done. I have a friend who had a bird piece lightened enough to have a tattoo artist ink a light bulb over the top. I thought it was smart because it meant her new tattoo didn’t have to be heavy-handed (which I’m sure you think is very 2000).
9. Or take it all off, but there might be white patches or scars. If, like me, you want your ink completely removed, you should know that the skin that is left might not be flawless. I’m hoping that reading this post will prevent you from having a tattoo removal turn into scarring la numero uno. And while the risks are nowhere near as big when you are treated by a medical professional, your skin pigment can be lightened.
10. But there’s another laser that can fix that. We are living in 3017.
Related Stories:-What I Wish I Knew Before I Spent $500 Trying to Fix My Brassy Highlights-40 Tiny Tattoo Ideas Even the Most Needle-Shy Can’t Resist-38 Celebrity Tiny Tattoos So Cute, You’ll Have No Shame About Copying Them
See the rest here:
What I Wish I Knew Before Starting Tattoo Removal – Glamour
- PicoSure Tattoo Removal - Default Parallels Plesk Page - February 11th, 2019
- Tattoo Removal - Tatt2Away - February 7th, 2019
- My Tattoo Removal Experience The Writing Life of Jessica Halsey - February 7th, 2019
- Laser Tattoo Removal - Little Rock, AR - Dr. Suzanne Yee - February 7th, 2019
- Tattoo Removal | Santa Rosa, CA - February 7th, 2019
- Laser Tattoo Removal Atlanta Duluth Georgia GA | Laser Lights - February 7th, 2019
- Tattoo Removal Information - Do I have a Tattoo Infection ... - February 7th, 2019
- Indy Laser - Laser Hair Removal Indianapolis - Laser Tattoo ... - February 7th, 2019
- Laser Tattoo Removal in New Jersey from The Dermatology Group - February 6th, 2019
- How Does Tattoo Removal Work? Answers to All Your ... - January 15th, 2019
- Tattoo Removal Shop - yelp.com - December 20th, 2018
- Eraser Clinic: Laser Tattoo Removal Dallas TX - November 30th, 2018
- Tattoo Removal NYC - PicoSure Laser | Dermatology and ... - November 30th, 2018
- Tattoo Removal Services | Body Details - November 29th, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal - Medical, Surgical, Cosmetic, Laser ... - November 23rd, 2018
- 9 Factors That Determine Tattoo Removal Success - November 23rd, 2018
- Tattoo Removal Fresno CA | Laser Tattoo Removal | Laser ... - November 23rd, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal - How a Tattoo is Removed - November 20th, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal - Skin Care Clinic - November 19th, 2018
- Tattoo Vanish - The Best All-Natural, Non-Laser Tattoo Removal - November 19th, 2018
- Tattoo removal - Drugs.com - November 12th, 2018
- Tattoo removal - Mayo Clinic - November 12th, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal Pricing & Cost Allentown Tattoo Removal - November 1st, 2018
- Tattoo Removal | Covington | Northshore Tattoo Removal - November 1st, 2018
- Philadelphia Laser Tattoo Removal - InkAway Laser Tattoo ... - November 1st, 2018
- Tattoo Removal Program | Providence Health & Services ... - November 1st, 2018
- My Laser Tattoo Removal Experience: Why did I do it ... - September 21st, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal | Satin Med Spa | Charlotte, NC - August 30th, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal Sydney - The #1 Rated Tattoo Removal ... - August 20th, 2018
- Tattoo Removal Jacksonville | Laser Tattoo Removal - August 11th, 2018
- Tattoo Removal with Laser Plastic Surgery Mobile Alabama ... - August 9th, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal Seattle | Seattle's Most Advanced Laser - July 31st, 2018
- How to Remove a Tattoo at Home With Salt - July 17th, 2018
- Skin Renew Tattoo Removal - Changing regrets into experiences. - July 9th, 2018
- How To Remove Your Tattoo Naturally | Self Tattoo Removal - July 4th, 2018
- Tattoo Removal | Riverchase Dermatology | Fort Myers ... - June 21st, 2018
- Eraser Clinic: Laser Tattoo Removal Houston TX - June 20th, 2018
- Vamoose Tattoo Removal - 23 Photos & 41 Reviews - Tattoo ... - May 24th, 2018
- Home | Vanish Laser Tattoo Removal & Skin Aesthetics - May 5th, 2018
- 7 Most Frequently Asked Questions from Tattoo Removal Patients - May 5th, 2018
- Laser Tattoo Removal - Best Medical Spa New Jersey - April 22nd, 2018
- #1 Laser Tattoo Removal Sydney | Tattoo Removal Institute - April 15th, 2018
- Tattoo Removal Albuquerque - Clearwaves - April 1st, 2018
- Tallahassee Tattoo Removal in Tallahassee, Fl - March 24th, 2018
- Tattoo Removal New Jersey | Montclair Tattoo Removal - March 23rd, 2018
- Tattoo Removal Laser Skin Clinic - March 19th, 2018
- How to Remove a Tattoo: 9 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow - October 21st, 2017
- Ross Barkley heads to Liverpool tattoo removers with fans fearing he is taking off club inking from arm - The Sun - September 7th, 2017
- Inked Out: Rorschach Gallery - Aquarian Weekly - September 6th, 2017
- Lumenis to launch tattoo removal solution PiQo4 in India - ETHealthworld.com - September 5th, 2017
- Tattoo removal company gets new equipment - Kane County Chronicle - September 4th, 2017
- Things To Avoid After Tattoo Removal Before Resuming Your Favorite Activities - SpaceCoastDaily.com - August 30th, 2017
- Madame Voodoo's Disappearing Ink Adds Astanza Duality Laser ... - Markets Insider - August 27th, 2017
- Madame Voodoo's Disappearing Ink Adds Astanza Duality Laser Tattoo Removal to their Tattoo Studio Services - PR Newswire (press release) - August 25th, 2017
- Sand Springs tattoo parlor offers to remove gang and hate-related ... - KOKI FOX 23 - August 25th, 2017
- EXCLUSIVE: Former P&G manager building nation's largest tattoo removal firm - Cincinnati Business Courier - August 23rd, 2017
- The dangers of eyebrow tattoo and dodgy laser removal: 'I literally have no eyebrows now' - NEWS.com.au (blog) - August 19th, 2017
- Chargers offer free Bolts tattoos to fans - ESPN (blog) - August 15th, 2017
- Former Nazi Skinhead shares recovery story, reaction to Charlottesville violence - WZTV - August 15th, 2017
- 'It's not a part of me anymore': Former gang member says tattoo removal will help his future - CBC.ca - August 11th, 2017
- A New Skincare Spa Opens in Lafayette - 5280 | The Denver Magazine - August 11th, 2017
- Daughter needs to focus on school, not dad's tattoos - Columbus Alive - August 10th, 2017
- Dear Abby: Mom wants daughter to focus on school, not dad's tattoos - Lompoc Record - August 10th, 2017
- Dear Abby: Mom will be blue if girl gets tattoo - Chicago Sun-Times - August 10th, 2017
- Tattoo removal helps domestic abuse survivor move on - The Denver Channel - August 8th, 2017
- Mark Cropp refuses to remove 'Devast8' face tattoo - NEWS.com.au - August 7th, 2017
- Man with DEVAST8 tattoo on his face finally gets a job - Metro - August 6th, 2017
- Devast8 to stay: Mark Cropp does U-turn on tattoo removal - NZ Herald - New Zealand Herald - August 4th, 2017
- SD Weight Loss Center Brings Advanced Laser Tattoo Removal and More to Spring Valley, CA featuring the Astanza ... - PR Newswire (press release) - August 2nd, 2017
- The PicoWay Laser Treatment is an Innovative Step Forward for Tattoo Removal According to Dr. F. Victor Rueckl - PR Web (press release) - August 2nd, 2017
- Program offers free tattoo removal for former gang members - 10News - July 30th, 2017
- Ink Out helps erase youths' violent past - Mail Tribune - July 30th, 2017
- There's Now a Patch That Can Remove Those Regrettable Tattoosand I Tried It On Myself - Reader's Digest - July 12th, 2017
- VIDEO: Tattoo removal videos are strangely satisfying - Pickle - July 12th, 2017
- This Tattoo Artist Proposed To His Girlfriend In The Riskiest Way Imaginable - HuffPost - July 8th, 2017
- Justin Bieber, Zayn Malik and Stars Who Had Tattoos Changed After ... - J-14 Magazine - July 8th, 2017
- Gang Prevention Q&A: Trends, Recruitment and Efforts to Save Kids - Fairfax County Government NewsCenter - July 6th, 2017
- Bloomfield business booming for medical practice that offers laser tattoo removal technology - FOX 61 - July 5th, 2017
- Tattoo remorse? What you need to know about erasing your ink ... - Chicago Tribune - July 4th, 2017
- So what's it REALLY like to get a tattoo removed? - Coventry Telegraph - July 3rd, 2017